Discovering a tiny corner of America in Moscow

A bust of American writer Mark Twain and a cardboard cutout of U.S. President Barack Obama greet Russians who enter the American Center, located in the Library of Foreign Literature in central Moscow. The American Center in Moscow is one of more 25 American Corners scattered throughout Russia.

"Russia is celebrating the 20th anniversary of having the American Corners program,” said Sarah Ziebell, Information Resource Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. "Russia is the first country where the U.S. established an American corner.”

"We have more than 25 American Centers in Russia,” Ziebell said. "We also have Information Resources Centers in our Moscow Embassy and our Consulates in St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok that work in conjunction with our American Centers to provide information about the U.S. and cultural programs and to fill the information gap.”Today, in most countries where there is an American Embassy, there is at least one American Center or Corner.

Artem Avtandilov, an alumnus of Global UGRAD, a U.S. government-sponsored academic exchange program, said that the American Corner in Kazan exceeded his expectations in terms of the amount and quality of opportunities available.

"Visiting the American Corner is a chance to get to know not only American culture and improve language for me, but also a great chance to meet other people with similar interests and discuss important issues,” said Avtandilov.

"The American Center in Kazan organized a speaking club where everyone had a chance to talk to native English speakers. Topics of the discussions usually cover U.S.-Russia relations, cultural features of both countries and allow you to know more about Americans,” he added. 

"It’s a long-standing idea to achieve mutual understanding between Russia and the U.S. It isn’t just government-to-government dialogue, but also it’s the dialogue and individual relations between ordinary people," she said. "It helps us understand each other better and find ways to work together.”According to Ziebell, Avtandilov’s experience is exactly what the American Corner program aims to provide.

35 year-old Muscovite Yulia Nik came to the local American Center to improve her language skills.

"I have been keenly feeling that I need to understands and communicate in English,” she. "Since I don’t have now an opportunity to hire an English teacher, I jump at the opportunity to find other ways to study English and practice it.”

But more important to her is the opportunity for her son to learn the languge.

"As far as possible I try to involve my son in studying English,” Nik said. "My friend told me several days ago that the American Center offers free English classes for children [through the AMC Children’s Club].”

Nik hopes to get acquainted with native English-speakers and those who are interested in English and American culture.

"Here I’m looking for interested, cultural and well-educated people who can share their experience and encourage me and my son to study English more.”